Overview
- A temporary restraining order currently bars federal officials from destroying or altering evidence from the Jan. 24 shooting at 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.
- U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud heard arguments Monday and said he will rule soon on whether to extend the order as the state seeks court-ordered access to the evidence.
- The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Hennepin County Attorney’s Office say federal agents prevented Minneapolis police from securing the scene and denied BCA access despite a judge-signed warrant.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Friedrich Siekert told the court the government planned to preserve all materials and called the order unnecessary, adding he did not know when evidence would be shared with the state and expected broad access only after federal matters conclude.
- Court filings note that agents seized Pretti’s firearm and phone and that some agents wore body cameras, while a leaked photo purportedly showing the gun and crowd-limited FBI evidence work raised state concerns about preservation.